This story and
its photographs are the copyright of the Australian Department of Defence. Permission to
reproduce may be sought from the Editor, Army Newspaper Unit by contacting armynews@defencenews.gov.au
This story was filed
by Cpl Brian Hartigan and published in ARMY Magazine in June
1999
as a side bar to the
story -- AVALON Flying High
Wedgetail - eye in the sky
Project Air5077, otherwise known as
Wedgetail, is the RAAF's requirement for an Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C)
system. AEW&C constitutes a new capability for the ADF, comprising six or seven
aircraft with associated ground support based at RAAF Base Williamtown, near Newcastle,
NSW.
Lockheed Martin are offering a system installed in C130J-30
Hercules to fulfill the requirement, while Raytheon and Boeing are also vying for the
project with Airbus A310- and 737-700-based systems respectively.
A decision on the preferred contractor is expected by the end of
the year with initial aircraft deliveries in 2004.
All three companies have extensive Australian sub-contractor
involvement in their proposals, which will ensure Australians are involved in through-life
support and modification of the successful platform.